Students of the Bachelor of Arts, Major and Minor in Chemistry program in the lab

Programs and Courses

Chemistry (BA)


  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Minor
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo
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The Chemistry (BA) Program

The Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Chemistry is designed to be taken as part of a Double Minor or as a Major and Minor combination. The program introduces students to the traditional sub-disciplines of Chemistry, with a particular emphasis on analytical and environmental chemistry. The course selection is designed to maintain broad appeal and relevance to a variety of career objectives, including teaching environmental consulting, and academic research. Students will gain an appreciation for the role of chemistry in many aspects of modern scientific enquiry, including hands-on experience with modern chemical instrumentation and techniques.

The curriculum has been designed to focus on the underlying principles to provide an understanding of physical, chemical and biological processes. Courses develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills which are encouraged by close student-instructor interactions and student-student mentorship.

Program Outline

Program Outline

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the?Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including?Degree English Requirements?and courses listed below:

Research

The Applied Environmental Research Laboratory (AERL) is a state-of-the-art lab where pure and applied research in the environmental sciences is conducted in collaboration with public and private partners. The lab is fully equipped for foliar, soil and water analysis by both traditional and emerging methods. Some of the instrumentation is incorporated into upper-level chemistry lab courses. In the final year, students have an option to complete a one-semester directed research project, under the supervision of a faculty member. The AERL also provides year round employment opportunities for senior students to assist faculty with environmental sampling, chemical analysis, method development and data interpretation. Some research projects that have recently been conducted at the AERL include: the development of a novel technique for the rapid detection of volatile contaminants in air and drinking water; an investigation of the effects of variable retention logging practices on the water chemistry of small coastal streams; geochemical analysis of Gulf Island groundwater samples; bioaccumulation of heavy metals in marine mammal parasites; the role of photochemical and microbial processes in the biodegradation of woodwaste leachates; and an assessment of land use impacts on water quality in the Englishman River watershed.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all?Institutional B.A. Degree Requirements, including?Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Select?one?of the following pairs:?
CHEM 140 - (Chemistry Fundamentals I)?and,
CHEM 141 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)?or?
CHEM 142 - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)

8

Select a minimum of 12 credits of 200-level Chemistry courses.* BIOL 201 can be counted towards these credits.

12

*?Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course choices.

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select a minimum of 18 credits of Chemistry courses numbered?300?or above.*

18

*?Check individual course prerequisites.

Notes:

  • CHEM 490 and CHEM 491 require 9 upper-level CHEM credits that includes at least 3 credits of CHEM 312, 351, or 352.
  • Not all courses are offered every year; please check the website (VIU Chemistry) to find out which courses are offered each year.
Updated 
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Career Opportunities

Work Placement Opportunities

Research

The Applied Environmental Research Laboratory (AERL) is a state-of-the-art lab where pure and applied research in the environmental sciences is conducted in collaboration with public and private partners. The lab is fully equipped for foliar, soil and water analysis by both traditional and emerging methods. Some of the instrumentation is incorporated into upper-level chemistry lab courses. In the final year, students have an option to complete a one-semester directed research project, under the supervision of a faculty member. The AERL also provides year-round employment opportunities for senior students to assist faculty with environmental sampling, chemical analysis, method development, and data interpretation.

Some research projects that have recently been conducted at the AERL include:

  • The development of a novel technique for the rapid detection of volatile contaminants in air and drinking water;
  • an investigation of the effects of variable retention logging practices on the water chemistry of small coastal streams;
  • geochemical analysis of Gulf Island groundwater samples;
  • bioaccumulation of heavy metals in marine mammal parasites;
  • the role of photochemical and microbial processes in the biodegradation of woodwaste leachates;
  • and an assessment of land use impacts on water quality in the Englishman River watershed.

Program Fees

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition Fee Schedule

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $153.73 per credit)

4,611.90

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

184.48

Student Services fee (30 credits x $6.79 per credit)

203.70

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month)

165.84

Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year)

275.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

6,940.92
Notes

The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus. ?

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

International Fees

Tuition Fee Schedule

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $8340 per semester)

16,680.00

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $381.6 per semester)

763.20

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month)

165.84

Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year)

275.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

19,384.04
Notes

The above table is based on 15 credits or less per semester. Additional fees of $695.00 per credit will be applied if taking more than 15 credits per semester.

The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus. ?

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Updated
Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Start Date and Application Deadlines

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed
Phone: 250-753-3245 ext. 4014
Email: amelia.maher-ahmed@viu.ca

Comments

If you are interested in starting in January 2021 please apply on EducationPlannerBC for the Fall 2021 intake and contact amelia.maher-ahmed@viu.ca to switch your application to the Spring 2021 intake.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604-485-8033
Email: erin.johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult the Vancouver Island University Calendar or contact Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email pr.studentaffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed
Phone: 250-753-3245 ext. 4014
Email: amelia.maher-ahmed@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult the Vancouver Island University Calendar or contact Student Services/Advising at 250-740-6410 or email advising@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
41.72
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Zoe Doiron
Phone: 250-746-3512
Email: Zoe.Doiron@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult the Vancouver Island University Calendar or contact Student Services/Advising at 250-746-3509 or email advising.cowichan@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Application Fee
$41.72
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604-485-8033
Email: erin.johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult the Vancouver Island University Calendar or contact Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email pr.studentaffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

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